UTSA running back Brandon Armstrong scores during fourth-quarter action against McNeese State during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA running back Brandon Armstrong scores during fourth-quarter action against McNeese State during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

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UTSA receiver Cole Hicks is knocked airborne after unsuccessfully lunging for a pass during college football action against McNeese State in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA receiver Cole Hicks is knocked airborne after unsuccessfully lunging for a pass during college football action against McNeese State in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

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Defensive tackle Richard Burge (61) of UTSA bears down on McNeese State quarterback Cody Stroud during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

Defensive tackle Richard Burge (61) of UTSA bears down on McNeese State quarterback Cody Stroud during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA quarterback Eric Soza looks for a receiver during college football action against McNeese State in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA quarterback Eric Soza looks for a receiver during college football action against McNeese State in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

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UTSA receiver Cole Hicks is unable to catch a pass as cornerback Seth Thomas of McNeese State defends during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA receiver Cole Hicks is unable to catch a pass as cornerback Seth Thomas of McNeese State defends during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

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UTSA Coach Larry Coker reacts as he watches his team play against McNeese State in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA Coach Larry Coker reacts as he watches his team play against McNeese State in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

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McNeese State fullback Dylan Long loses his helmet as he blocks UTSA linebacker Steven Kurfehs during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

McNeese State fullback Dylan Long loses his helmet as he blocks UTSA linebacker Steven Kurfehs during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

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UTSA running back Nate Shaw and teammate Evans Okotcha celebrate after a score against McNeese State in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA running back Nate Shaw and teammate Evans Okotcha celebrate after a score against McNeese State in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA defensive tackle Frank Anaya encourages fan support during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA defensive tackle Frank Anaya encourages fan support during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

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Evans Okotcha of UtSA scores a first-half touchdown against McNeese State during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Evans Okotcha of UtSA scores a first-half touchdown against McNeese State during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

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UTSA safety Triston Wade (14) knocks the ball loose from McNeese State receiver Diontae Spencer (4) during first-half college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News) less

UTSA safety Triston Wade (14) knocks the ball loose from McNeese State receiver Diontae Spencer (4) during first-half college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San ... more

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Wes Briscoe of McNeese State catches a first-half touchdown pass against UTSA during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

Wes Briscoe of McNeese State catches a first-half touchdown pass against UTSA during college football action in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News)

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UTSA running back Evans Okotcha (36) celebrates with teammate David Glasco II after Okotcha scored a first-half touchdown against McNeese State in action at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News) less

UTSA running back Evans Okotcha (36) celebrates with teammate David Glasco II after Okotcha scored a first-half touchdown against McNeese State in action at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Billy ... more

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UTSA players Marcellus Mack (9), Kam Jones (1) and Maurice Paullard carry the national colors and the flags of the armed forces before their college football game against McNeese State in the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. (Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News) less

UTSA players Marcellus Mack (9), Kam Jones (1) and Maurice Paullard carry the national colors and the flags of the armed forces before their college football game against McNeese State in the Alamodome on ... more

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UTSA able to refocus after ending slide

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The UTSA Roadrunners remain on track to finish with an improbable 8-4 record.

To reach that plateau, they will need to beat the beleaguered Idaho Vandals on the road this week.

Then they will need to return home for the season finale Nov. 24, when they are expected to be faced with an emotional challenge for territorial bragging rights from the Texas State Bobcats.

“We're focused right now on 7-4,” Roadrunners centerNate Leonard said. “That's the thing (assistant) coach (Jim) Marshall stressed. He asked us last week, ‘What do you want?' We said, ‘8-4.' He said, ‘Nah, nah, nah. You want 6-4.'”

UTSA's offensive linemen listen to Marshall, their veteran position coach.

Abiding by his formula, the Roadrunners (6-4, 1-3 Western Athletic Conference) broke a four-game losing streak by holding off McNeese State 31-24 on Saturday at the Alamodome.

Now they will have the opportunity to accomplish something special. Something few thought possible.

They can finish with a winning record in the school's second season of college football and its first as a Football Bowl Subdivision transitional program.

“I just want to have as good a season as we possibly can in my senior year,” linebacker Brandon Reeves said.

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One of the worst teams in the nation, Idaho (1-9, 1-3) still likely won't go down without a fight.

It's the final home game for Vandals seniors who have endured a midseason coaching change, not to mention humbling setbacks at LSU (63-14), North Carolina (66-0) and Louisiana Tech (70-28).

Left out in the last round of conference realignment, Idaho would like nothing more than to give UTSA something to think about as it moves into Conference USA.

On the other hand, the Roadrunners have dreams for a historic achievement and also have long memories.

They were picked in preseason polls for last place in the WAC.

With the Vandals and Texas State (3-6, 1-3) to close the season, the Roadrunners could finish as high as fourth in the seven-team league.

It might be a challenge this week not to think about the season finale, considering the Bobcats' eye-opening performance in a 62-55 home loss to Louisiana Tech.

Leonard said the victory over McNeese State sparked some reflection on his part.

“You kind of have to take a step back,” he said. “We came out 5-0. It was rainbows and butterflies. It was awesome. Then we had a reality check (with four straight losses). But then we answered. That's what's telling about this football program.”

Now it's up to them. They have two more chances for rainbows and butterflies. Or, more reality.

“Right now, we're focused on 7-4,” Leonard said.

jbriggs@express-news.net

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Idaho Vandals

What: Western Athletic Conference program

When: 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho

TV/radio: KCWX, 760 AM

Rundown: Transitioning to Football Bowl Subdivision independent status for 2013, Idaho (1-9, 1-3) has struggled to remain competitive in its last season in the WAC. The Vandals started 1-7, then suffered back-to-back blows. In a one-week span, Robb Akey was fired as coach and starting quarterback Dominique Blackman was kicked off the team. Since then, Idaho has lost to San Jose State and BYU under interim coach Jason Gesser.